Packaging machine



Filed March 28, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

INVENTOR.

BY I

Oct. 23, 1945. s. R. HOWARD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 NNN WN Oct. 23, 1945. s. R. HOWARD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 23, 1945 s, HOWARD I 2,387,585

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 V VEN TOR STANLEY/Ef/OWARD Oct 1 s. R. HOWARD 2,387,585

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 JNVENTOR. STANLEXRHOWARD Patented Oct. 23, 1945 PACKAGING MACHINE Stanley R. Howard, Milton, Mass., assignor to Pneumatic Scale Corporation Limited, Quincy, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 28, 1942, Serial No. 436,599

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a packaging machine.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved packaging machine having a plurality of load forming devices which may and preferably will comprise weighing devices operative to deposit their weighed load into a plurality of successive continuously moving containers, and in which provision is made for controlling the movement of the containers with relation to the operation of the load forming devices whereby to assure the proper deposition of the loads into their respective containers.

With this general object in view, and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the packaging machine and in the various structures, arrangements, and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particu larly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic packaging machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the packaging machine illustrating the container supporting and moving apparatus; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 some of the parts being shown in crosssection as taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail view of a safety switch shown in Fig. 3 for controlling the operation of the machine in the event the supply of containers is depleted; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of control mechanism for regulating the operation of the weighing machine and the container moving apparatus; Fig. 6 is a detail view in perspective showing a modified form of control mechanism for regulating the movement of the containers in accordance with the weighing operation; Fig. '7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 5 showing the modified form of control mechanism; and Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of weighing mechanism comprising the load forming unit of the illustrated packaging machine.

In general, the present invention contemplates a packaging machine having a plurality of load formin units, which, as herein illustrated, may and preferably will comprise a plurality of weighing devices arranged to form their loads in a predetermined time interval, during normal operation. Upon completion of the weighing operation, the weighing unitsv are arranged to simultaneously release their weighed loads into containers arranged to be moved continuously therebeneath. Provision is made for supporting and continuously moving the containers to be filled and for guiding the formed loads from the weighing devices into their respective containers during such movement. As herein shown, the container moving mechanism and the means for guiding the material into the containers comprise a rotating member having a plurality of funnels provided with elongated arcuate openings arranged to receive the material released by the weighing devices during movement of the rotary member and to guide the material into the containers supported therebeneath and movable therewith. The rotating member is preferably independently driven in timed relation to the operation of the weighing devices so that the rotary member is in position to receive the Weighed loads as they are released from the weighing devices, and, in the continuous operation of the machine, a new set of arcuate openings arrive in position to receive the succeeding loads subsequently released from the weighing devices. Under normal operating conditions, the weighing units will have completed their weights and will release their formed loads in the predetermined time established therefor and the rotating member with the containers will be moved continuously past the weighing devices to receive the weighed loads.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, control mechanism is provided for the rotating member, such control mechanism being operatively connected to the weighing devices and arranged to permit the rotary member to continue its rotation as long as the weighed loads are formed and released in the predetermined time established therefor. However, in the event that the load forming mechanism is delayed, the rotary member will come to rest to await completion of the load forming operation. Provision is also made for assuring the proper disposition of the rotary member with respect to the delivery chutes when the formed loads are released from the weighing devices so that the weighed loads will not be released until the rotary member has presented its arcuate openings in position to receive the loads. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the timing mechanism preferably comprises a cam set to arrive at a predetermined position when the arcuate openings are in operative position to receive the weighed loads. The cam is operatively connected to the Weighing mechanism and is arranged to interrupt the operation thereofv and thus prevent the release of the weighed loads until the rotary unit is in such operative position with respect to the discharge chutes of the weighing devices. It will be understood, however, that under normal operating conditions, the control mechanisms operate to permit the rotating member to continue its rotaation in timed relation to the release of the formed loads of the weighing devices.

Referring now to the drawings, the illustrated load forming means indicated generally at M preferably comprises a plurality of weighing units which may be of any usual or preferred.

form now upon the market, and inasmuch as the details of the weighing units of themselves form no part of the present invention, only sufiicient portions of such mechanisms have been herein illustrated and will be hereinafter described as will enable the different features of the present invention to be understood. For a complete disclosure of the form and mode of operation of such weighing mechanisms, reference is made to the United States patents to Howard, No. 2,151,107 dated March 21, 1939 and No. 2,207,885 dated July 16, 1940 and No. 2,204,134, dated June 11, 194.0. In general, such weighing mechanisms include a plurality of devices each comprising a scale beam l2 provided with a receptacle H3 into which the material to be weighed is fed in the usual manner from feed hoppers 16 which receive the material from an overhead supply bin la. The flow of the material onto the scales is controlled by suitable gates and operating mechanisms therefor, and provision is also made for resetting and locking the scales in accordance with the common practice in the usual forms of automatic weighing machines now upon the market. Upon completion of the Weighing operation, the weighed loads formed in the receptacles H; are automatically dumped through discharge chutes into the containers. For the purposes of the present invention it is believed to be suiiicient to state that the weighing 11180112: nism is driven by a motor 20 through a belt connection 22 and thence through suitable gearing (not shown) to a main driving shaft 2 3, see Fig. 5. From this shaft 24 the gate operating mechanism, the scale resetting mechanism, the materialfeeding mechanism and the receptacle dumping mechanism are driven so that the operation of the entire weighing mechanism is controlled by the shaft 24 in accordance with the usual practice.

As best shown in Fig. 8, the present weighing unit includes a rotary feeding member 300 driven by a chain connection 302 from a clutch shaft 384. Provision is made for varying the stream of material fed by the member 380 and as herein hown, a pivotally mounted gate 386 connected by a link 368 to an arm 3H) is arranged to be rocked by a cam 3l2 to provide a relatively large stream of material at the start of a weighing cycle and to gradually reduce the stream as the weighing operation progresses.

The mouth of the hopper 16 is provided with a pair of interconnected gates 3M normally open during the weighing operation and which are arranged to be closed when the scale has made its weight. As herein shown, the gates 314 are connected by a link M6 to a trip lever M3. The trip lever SIS pivotally mounted at 320 is maintained in its illustrated or weighing position by cooperation with a roller lock 322 mounted upon one end of a pivoted lever 32 1. The second end is provided with the movable member of an electromagnet 326 which latter is wired to a scaleoperated switch 328 constructed and arranged so that when the scalemakes its weight, the electro-magnet is deenergized, freeing the lever 32.4 and permitting the trip lever 3I8 to rock in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 8 under the influence of a spring 325 and to thus effect closing of the gates 313.

The above described trip mechanism may substantially comprise that shown in Fig. 2 of the Howard Patent No. 2,204,134 and as herein shown, provision is made for. dumping the weighed loads from the receptacles upon completion of the weighing operation. The receptacle M is provided with a gate 330 comprising the bottom thereof and is held in its closed position by a spring 332 through toggle linkage 334 arranged to prevent opening of the gate by the weight of the material therein. The linkage 334 is provided with a roller 336 arranged to be pressed downwardly to effect opening of the gate 33!] by an arm 338 fast on 'a rocker shaft 340. The shaft 359 is provided at its outer end with an arm 342 connected by a link 3 to one arm 346 of a bell crank pivotally mounted at 320. A roller 358 carried by the second arm 352 of the bell crank cooperates with a cam 354 fast on the cam shaft 2 3. The cam 354 is designed to effect dumping of the receptacles immediately upon the start of a new cycl of operation, and upon closing of the gate 330 by the spring 332 and resetting of the scale beam, the trip lever 3E8 is reset to again open the hopper gates 314 by a cam 356 fast on the shaft 24 to thus start another weighing operation.

As herein shown, the drive to the main driving shaft 2 3 includes a one revolution clutch comprising a pawl 26 and ratchet 28 arranged to effect rotation of the shaft one revolution per weighing cycle. The pawl 26 is carried by a disc 30 which is loose on the shaft 24, the ratchet 28 being fixed on the shaft. The pawl is urged into cooperative engagement with its ratchet by a spring 32 and is arranged to be withdrawn from engagement with its ratchet at the end of one revolution by either of two pawl stops 34 or 33. The pawl stops 34, 35 are sliding'ly mounted in a supporting member 38 and form part of the control mechanism for controlling the various operations of the machine to be hereinafter more fully described.

As herein shown, one of the pawl stops, 36, is connected by a toggle link 4! to one arm 42 of a two-armed lever pivotally mounted on a shaft 44. Various conditions must be satisfied before the pawl stop 36 may be withdrawn. It will be observed that withdrawal of the pawl stop 36 is effected when the lever 42 is rocked clockwise viewing Fig. 5, and a second pivotally mounted lever 15 provided with several arms is connected by a spring 45 to the second arm 48 of the twoarmed lever. A set screw 50 in engagement with the arm 38 operates to rock the latter when the lever 45 is permitted to rock. There are three conditions which must be satisfied before the lever 45 will be operated to remove the pawl stop 36. First, an operating link 52 connected at one end to an arm 54 of the lever 45 must be free to slide longitudinally in a swivel member 55 carried by a stop and start lever 58 as shown in Fig. 1. When the lever 58 is in its stop position, the swivel 56 will be in a position to prevent the link 52 from moving upwardly and thus prevent withdrawal of the pawl stop. A second arm 60 of lever $5 is provided with a latch member 62 arranged to be engaged by a hook 64 to prevent withdrawal of the pawl stop 36 in the event that no containers are present on thein'coming conveyer as will be hereinafter described. A

third arm 55 of lever 65 is connected by a link 68 to an arm is fixed to a rocker shaft I2 forming part of the control for th weighing mechanism Iii as fully illustrated and described in the Howard patents above referred to, and, in operation, the shaft I2 is not permitted to rock under the influence of the spring I4 until all the scales have completed their weights and the weighed loads in the receptacles are in readiness to be dumped at the start of another cycle of operation.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, the mechanism for pre venting rocking of the shaft l2 until the scales of all the units of the machine have made their weights includes a pair of cooperating arms 3%, 362 for each weighing unit, one arm 35% being fast on the shaft 52 and the other 352 being loose thereon and counterweighted to effect rocking in a counterclockwise direction viewing Fig. 8. The armis arranged to engage a set screw carried by the trip lever 5H8 so that when the latter is in its illustrated weighing position, the arm 36%! will be held in a substantially vertical position. The arm 3'56 of each unit rests against its respective arm 362 to prevent rocking of the shaft l2 by the spring M. In operation, as each scale makes its weight and its trip lever is released to rock in a clockwise direction, the loosely mounted arm 362 is freed to permit rocking of the shaft l2 upon tripping of the last scale to make its weight. Upon resetting of the trip lever 353 as above described, the shaft IE will likewise be reset.

From the description thus far, it will be observed that when the operating link is raised and a supply of containers is provided on the incoming conveyer, the pawl stop 38 will be withdrawn upon completion of the weighing operation. Assuming that the pawl stop 3 is also withdrawn at this time, the shaft will be permitted to rotate, in operation, the Weighed loads formed during the previous cycle ar immediately dumped. In operation, as soon as the pawl 25. is released and the shaft starts to revolve, the shaft operates to reset the pawl stop 35 into the path of the pawl so that in the event that all the scales have not completed their weights by the time the shaft 2: 3 has made one revolution, the shaft will come to rest. However, under normal operating conditions, the weights are completed and the driving shaft 25; is released to start another weighing cycle at substantially equal predetermined time intervals. As above described, the containers are fed continuously past the weighing devices to receive the weighed loads as the latter are released from the weighing units. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the containers are delivered to the machine from a source of supply on an incoming conveyor belt it which runs over a driving pulley IS and which may be drven through connections from the motor 55 including a chain and sprocket drive 88, a speed reducing unit 82, and a chain and sprocket drive as clearly shown in Fig. l. ihe containers are delivered in a line to present the foremost thereof onto a stationary platform 85 and into the path of rotary conveying members 88, 96 provided with arms 92 forming openings 55 3 into which successive foremost containers is are received and conveyed in a circular path.

As alcove stated, provision is made for detecting an absence in the supply of containers on the incoming belt and for preventing operation of th machine in the event that no containers are present, and as illustrated in Figs. 3 and i control mechanism indicated generally at is provided which includes a detecting arm 9% disposed in the path of the incoming containers and arranged to rest on top of the containers passing thereby. The detecting arm at is pivotally mounted at 98 and is attached to one arm I62 of a bell-crank, the second arm Ida of which is arranged to move a spring contact its to open a circuit at contacts 5%, M0 to an electromagnet II2 when the containers are depleted. The electromagnet H2, as shown in Fig. l, is operatively connected to the latch hook i and is arranged to hold the hook up out of the path of the latch arm to permit withdrawal of the pawl stop when the electromagnet is energized. However, when the containers are depleted, the detecting arm will drop and rock the arm Ii I in a clockwise direction, viewing :ig. i, to open.

the circuit as described, and to de-energize the electromagnet which will permit the latch hook fi l to rock into the path of the arm and thus prevent withdrawal of the pawl stop Replenishing the supply of containers operates to reset the contacts to free the latch arm and permit withdrawal of the pawl stop.

The rotary conveying member 38 is carried by an upper disc it's and the conveying member so is carried by a lower disc H6 and as illustrated in Fig. the discs lI- i, it are mounted to rotate with a central shaft 558. The upper disc H is also arranged to support a plurality of funnels i255 having their lower ends in alignment with their respective containers its and provided at their upper ends with elon ated arcuate openings 52? rranged to receive the material released from the weighing units into the discharge chutes i2. As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper ends of the guide funnels l2!) are arranged in two concentric rows, the outer row being arranged in alignment with the lower nds of two of the four discharge chutes IE -I, and the inner row being in alignment with the lower ends of the remaining discharge chutes.

Provision is made for driving the discs H4, H6 in timed relation to the release of the weighed loads from the weighing devices so as to assure the deposition of the loads into their respective containers. As herein shown, the discs are secured to the central shaft H8 which is mounted to rotate in bearings I26 in a frame member I 28. The lower end of the shaft H3 is provided with a bevel gear I39 which is arranged to mesh with a bevel gear I32 fast on a drive shaft I34. As herein shown, the shaft I34 is arranged to be driven from a motor I35 through sprockets I38, I45, chain M2, and through a pawl and ratchet clutch indicated generally at I43. The sprocket Mi is formed integrally with a ratchet I134 and is freely rotatable on the shaft 134. A pawl carrier disc I46 which is fast on the shaft I3 is provided with a pawl I48 arranged to cooperate with the ratchet I44 to drive the shaft and effect rotation of the rotary conveying members 88, so and the arcuate funnels I20.

In order to control the rotation of the shaft I34, a pawl stop I50 slidingly mounted in a bracket I52 is arranged to be extended into the path of the tail of the pawl I43 to disengage the pawl from the ratchet at the end of one revolution. In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 provision is made for withdrawing the pawl stop I56 through connections from the pawl stop arm 42 of the upper pawl and ratchet clutch, which, as previously described, is arranged to be rocked to withdraw the pawl stop 36 at the end of the weighing operation. As herein shown, a link I54 is connected at one end to the arm 42 and at its other end to one arm I56 of a two-armed lever pivotally mounted on a shaft I58. The second arm I60 of the two-armed lever is connected by a link I62 to the pawl stop I50 to form a toggle line connection. Thus, in operation, when the arm 42 is rocked clockwise viewing Fig. 5 to withdraw the pawl stop 36 from the path of the pawl 26 to permit rotation of the weighing mechanism shaft 24, the pawl stop I50 is simultaneously withdrawn to permit rotation of the driving shaft I34 through the connections above described. It will be observed that when the upper pawl stop 36 is reset by rocking of the shaft I2 as previously described, the lower pawl stop I50 will likewise be reset to disengage the pawl I48 at the end of one revolution of the shaft I34.

Under normal operating conditions, the weighing mechanism will complete its operations and effect withdrawal of the pawl stop I50 before the shaft I34 makes a complete revolution so that, in eifect, the rotary container moving and filling unit will move continuously without interruption, but in the event the weighing operation is delayed, the shaft I34 will come to rest and await completion of the weighing operation. Thereafter, initiation of the dumping operation of the previously formed loads and rotation of the rotary container supporting and filling unit will be simultaneous.

Provision is also made in the illustrated packaging machine for assuring proper disposition of the arcuate openings I22 with respect to the lower ends of the discharge chutes I24 when the loads are released from the weighing receptacles. As herein shown, this is accomplished by a pace setting or timing cam I64, see Fig. 5. which is fixed to the outer end of shaft I34 and is operatively connected to the second pawl stop 34 of the pawl and ratchet clutch of the weighing mechanism. The second pawl stop 34 is connected by a link I66 to one arm I68 of a twoarmed lever, pivotally mounted on the shaft 44, the second arm I70 of which is connected by a rod I'I2 to a cam lever I74. The cam lever H4 is pivotally mounted at I16 and is provided with a roller I66 held in cooperative engagement with its cam I64 by a spring I82. The'cam I64 is provided with a high spot I84, and, in assembling the machine, the cam is preferably adjusted to effect withdrawal of the pawl stop 34 when the rotating funnels arrive at a predetermined position with relation to the discharge chutes. Such predetermined position of the funnels, as indicated in Fig. 3, places the lower ends of the discharge chute at the extreme right hand end of their respective elongated arcuate openings I22 of the funnels so that as the funnels are revolved in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 3, advantage may be taken of the full length of each opening to receive the material being discharged. In practice, the time taken for' one set of arcuate openings to pass the discharge spouts and for a second set of arcuate openings to arrive in position to receive a subsequent load is substantially the same predetermined time interval established for the weights to be completed; so that under normal operating conditions the pawl stops 34, 36 and I56 are withdrawn substantially simultaneously to permit continuous rotation of the rotating funnel unit. If the weights are not completed within such predetermined established I time intervals, the pawl stop I50 will not be withdrawn and the rotating funnel unit will come to rest preferably with the high spot I84 of the cam I64 in position to effect withdrawal of pawl stop 34, and with the arcuate openings I22 in operative position to receive the weighed loads upon completion of the weighing operation. On the other hand, if the weighing operations are completed prior to the predetermined time established therefor, the loads will not be released until the rotary funnel unit arrives in operative position to receive the loads whereupon the cam I84 operates to withdraw the pawl stop 34 to initiate another cycle of operation, as described.

Provision is made for assuring termination of rotation of the weighing mechanism shaft 24 at the end of one revolution so that it will come to rest in the same relative position each time. This, is accomplished by the provision of a cut-out I86 in the pawl carrier disc 30 in which a roller I88 carried by a pivoted arm I is provided with a spring I92 which urges the roller into the cutout, thus preventing backlash of the shaft and assuring proper disposition of the operating mechanism to start another cycle of operation. A similar arm I94, roller I96, and spring I98 is provided for cooperation with a cut-out 200 in the pawl carrier disc I46 on the shaft I34. Adjustable limiting stops 202, 204 suitably supported in brackets 206, 208 extending from the machine frame, may be provided to limit the movement of the pawl stop toggle connections in either direction as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5.

Provision may also be made for adjusting the height of the revolving funnel unit in order to accommodate different heights of containers, and, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the upper rotating disc H4 is provided with an elongated hub 2I0 having a cap member 2I2 attached to its upper end. An adjusting screw 2 I 4 fitted into a threaded hole in the cap is provided with a handle 2I6 at one end, its lower end bearing against the top of the central shaft II8. Upon rotation of the handle 2I6 in one direction, the disc H4 together with its attached funnels will be raised, and, conversely, rotation in the opposite direction will permit the unit to be lowered on the shaft. An elongated key (not shown) may be provided to prevent rotation of the disc with relation to the central shaft, while permitting movement longitudinally thereof, as described. In practice, the discharge chutes I24 may be replaced by chutes of different proportions to accommodate a different size or height of container thus precluding any interference between the top of the funnels I22 and the bottom of the discharge chutes E24 when it is necessary to elevate the funnels I26 for a different height of container.

Provision is also made in the illustrated and preferred embodiment of the invention for shaking the containers during their travel through the circular path in order to settle the goods in the containers. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the shaking mechanism comprises one or more vibrating units each comprising a platform 2I8 upon which the containers rest while being moved by the rotary conveying unit. The vibrating units 2 I 8 may comprise any usual or preferred shaker mechanisms now upon the market and as herein shown include resilient supports 220, a casing 222 provided with opposed overbalanced rotary weights (not shown) which are rotated to produce the vibratory motion, through a motor 224 and belt connection 226. lustrated a plurality of vibrating units 2I8 may As herein ilbe provided in'the circular path each of which may be independently operated so thatin practice one or more may beturned on in accordance withthe amount ofsettling required by the particular material being packaged. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the filled and settled containers aredischarged from the arms 92 of the rotary conveyingmembers 83, 90 onto a rotary platform 223 by the extended portion 230 of a guide rail 232. The rotary platform transfers the containers onto a discharge belt 234 which carries the containers away from the machine between rail 232, 238, the latter forming an extension of the circular rail 238 for guiding the containers through the circular path.

In the modified embodiment of the invention, see Figs. 6 and '7, the control mechanism includes a cam 246 mounted fast on the weighing mechanism shaft 24 which is arranged to withdraw the pawl stop l!) when the shaft 24 starts to revolve at the beginning of a new cycle of operation. As herein shown a cam roll 242- carried by a pivotally mounted lever 244 is arranged to cooperate with the cam 24!], being urged into engagement with its camby a spring 245. A rod I54 connected at one-end to the lever 244 is connected at its other end to the arm I55 of the pawl stop operating linkage previously described. In the operation of the device, the rotary container moving and filling unit is arranged to travel at a rate of speed such as to bring a new set of arcuate openings into position to receive the weighed loads in the predetermined time established for the weighing operations to be completed, and, at such time, the cam I64 will have withdrawnthe pawl stop-34, under normal operating conditions. Thereafter, when the weights ar completed, the pawl stop 36 will be withdrawn to start the weighing mechanism shaft 24. The cam 240 is set to withdraw the pawl stop I59 as soon as the shaft 24 starts to rotate, and as previously described, at substantially the same time a cam 354 operates to release the weighed loads of the previous cycle from the receptacles I4 to fall into the discharge chutes E24. Under normal operating conditions, the rotating unit will be in position to receive the discharged loads, as indicated by the withdrawal of pawl stop 34 by cam I64, and the pawl stop i 50 will have been withdrawn before the pawl I48 was engaged so that the shaft I34 will operate continuously. However, in the event that the weighing operation is delayed, the pawl stops 3B and I56 will not be withdrawn at this time and the shaft I34 will come to rest with the, high spot I84 of the cam I64 in position to effect withdrawal of pawl stop 34 and with the arcuate openings of the rotary unit in operative position to receive the weighed loads when the weighing mechanism shaft 24 is again started. Subsequently, when the weighing operation is completed, the pawl stop I50 will be withdrawn by the cam 24% to permit rotation of the rotary unit for another cycle of operation. On the other hand, in the event the weighing operation is completed before the predetermined time established, the pawl stop 34 will not be withdrawn to release the weighed loads until the rotary unit is in operative position to receive them, as controlled by the cam I64. Thus in one embodiment of the machine. the rotation of shafts 24 and I3 3 are initiated simultaneously while in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7 the shaft 24 starts its rotation before the, shaft I34 can start. In either event, however, pawl stop. 34 must be withdrawn by the pace setting cam I64, indicating that the arcuate openings of the rotary unit are in operative position to receive the weighed loads, before either shaft can start on a new cycle of operation.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a packaging machine, in combination, load forming means, continuously moving container moving means adapted to receive and move containers in a circular path, a series of guide funnelsmounted on said container moving means in a position above the containers supported thereby for receiving successive loads from said load forming means and guiding the into the containers, said funnels being consti-.cted with inlets of arcuate elongated shape arranged alternately in two concentric circles, each inlet being substantially longer than the pitch distance between adjacent containers upon said container moving means the outlets of said funnels being in the same circular path and disposed at the same pitch distance as that of the containers to be filled, and control means operatively connected to the load forming mechanism for permitting continuous operation of said container moving means when the load forming mechanism completes its operation within a predetermined established time and for stopping the container moving means in the event that the load forming mechanism fails to complete the formation of the load within such time.

2. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism constructed to form a plu rality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, driving means for said load forming mechanism, independently driven and continuously operated container moving means for moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism in timed relation to the operation of said load forming mechanism to receive the loads as they are released, and control means operatively connected to said load forming mechanism for permitting continuous operation of said container moving means when the load forming mechanism completes its operation within a predetermined established time and for stopping the independently driven container moving means in the event that the load forming mechanism fails to complete formation of the loads within the predetermined time established therefor and for again initiating the operation of the container moving means upon completion of the load forming operation.

3. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism constructed to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, driving means for said load forming mechanism, independently driven and continuously operated container moving means for moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism in timed relation to the operation of said load forming mechanism to receive the loads as they are released, means movable with the containers into which the formed loads are discharged, said last named means being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, and control means operatively connected to said load forming mechanism for permitting continuous operation of said container moving means when the load forming mechanism completes its operation within a predetermined es tablished time and for stopping the independently driven container moving means in the event that the load forming mechanism fails to complete formation of the loads within the predetermined time established therefor and for again initiating the operation of the container moving means upon completion of the load forming operation.

4. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming means comprising a plurality of weighing devices constructed to form a plurality of weighed loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, driving means for said load forming mechanism, independently driven and continuously operated container moving means for moving successive containers past said load forming means in timed relation to the operation of said weighing devices to receive the loads as they are released, means movable with the containers into which the formed loads are discharged, said last named means being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, and control means operatively connected to said load forming mechanism for permitting continuous operation of said container moving means when the load forming mechanism completes its operation Within a predetermined established time and for stopping the independently operated container moving means in the event that the load forming mechanism fails to complete formation of the loads within the predetermined time established therefor and for again initiating the operation of the container moving means upon completion of the load forming operation.

5. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism constructed to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, driving means for said load forming mechanism, independently driven rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism and in timed relation to the release of the formed loads, means movable with the containers comprising a plurality of funnels having elongated arcuate openings into which the formed loads are discharged, said funnels being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, and control means operatively connected to said load forming mechanism for permitting continuous operation of said container moving means when the load forming mechanism completes its operation within a predetermined established time and for stopping the independently driven container moving means in the event that the load forming mechanism fails to complete formation of the loads within the predetermined time established therefor and for again initiating the operation of the container mov ng means upon completion of the load formin operation.

6. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism constructed to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, driving means for said load forming mechanism, independently driven rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism and in timed relation to the release of the formed loads, means movable with the containers comprising a plurality of funnels having elongated arcuate openings into which the formed loads are discharged, said funnels being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, discharge chutes leading from said load forming mechanism to said funnels, and means actuated by said continuously rotated container moving means and operatively connected to said load forming means for assuring proper disposition of the funnels with respect to the discharge chutes at the start of each cycle of operation when said loads are released, and control means actuated by said load forming mechanism and operatively connected to said independently operated container moving means for permitting continuous operation of the latter when the load forming mechanism completes its operation within a predetermined established time.

7. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism constructed to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, driving means for said load forming mechanism, independently operated rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism and in timed relation to the release of the formed loads, means movable with the containers comprising a plurality of funnels having elongated arcuate openings into which the formed loads are discharged, said funnels being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, discharge chutes leading from said load forming mechanism -to said funnels, means actuated by said continuously rotated container moving means and operatively connected to said load forming means for assuring proper disposition of the funnels with respect to the discharge chutes at the start of each cycle of operation when said loads are released, and control means actuated by said load forming mechanism and operatively connected to said container moving means for stopping the container moving means in the event that the load forming mechanism fails to complete formation of the loads within the predetermined time established therefor.

8. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism constructed to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, driving means for said load forming mechanism, independently operated rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism and in timed relation to the release of the formed loads, means movable with the containers comprising a plurality of funnels having elongated arcuate openings into which the formed loads are discharged, said funnels being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, discharge chutes leading from said load forming mechanism to said funnels, and means including a pace set ing cam driven by said container moving means and operatively connected to said load forming means for assuring proper disposition of the funnels with respect to said discharge chutes at the start of each cycle of operation when the loads are released.

9. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism adapted to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism and in timed relation to the re lease of said formed loads, means movable with the containers comprising a plurality of funnels having elongated arcuate openings into which the formed loads are discharged, said funnels being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movem nt thereof, discharge chutes leading from said load forming mechanism to said funnels, control means for said load forming mechanism comprising a one revolution clutch arranged to prevent operation of the load forming mechanism to start a new cycle of operation until all the a formed loads are completed, a second one revolution clutch for said rotary container moving means operatively connected to said first one revolution clutch and arranged to bring the rotary container moving means to rest in the event that the loads are not completed within the predetermined time established therefor.

10. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism adapted to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successive cycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism and in timed relation to the release of said formed loads, means movable with the containers comprising a plurality of funnels having elongated arcuate openings into which the formed loads are discharged, said funnels being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, discharge chutes leading from said load forming mechanism to said funnels, control means for said load forming mechanism comprising a one revolution clutch arranged to prevent operation of the load forming mechanism to start a new cycle of operation until all the formed loads are completed, a second one revolution clutch for said rotary container moving means operatively connected to said first one revolution clutch and arranged to bring the rotary container moving means to rest in the event that the loads are not completed within the predetermined time established therefor, and a timing cam for said rotary container moving means operatively connected to said first one revolution clutch and arranged to prevent initiation of a new cycle of operation in the event that said elongated arcuate openings are not in proper position to receive the loads to be discharged from said discharge chutes.

11. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, automatic load forming mechanism adapted to form a plurality of loads each cycle of operation and to release the loads formed during successivecycles in substantially equal predetermined time intervals, rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said load forming mechanism and in timed relation to the release or" said formed loads, means movable with the containers comprising a plurality of funnels;

having elongated arcuate openings into which the formed loads are discharged, said funnels being arranged to guide the loads into their respective containers during the continuous movement thereof, discharge chutes leading from said load forming mechanism to said funnels, operating means for said load forming mechanism including a shaft and a one revolution clutch for controlling said shaft to prevent initiation of a new cycle of operation until all the formed loads are completed, a second one revolution clulch for said rotary container moving means, a cam on said shaft operatively connected to said secone revolution clutch arranged to permit continuous rotation of said rotary container moving means when the loads are completed and a new load forming cycle has started within the predetermined time interval 12. In a packaging machine, in combination, a plurality of weighing units constructed to form a plurality of weighed loads each cycle of oper ation, means for releasing the previously weighed loads at the beginning of each cycle of operation, means for driving said wei hing units, control means for preventing initiation of a new cycle of operation until all the weighing units have made their weights, independently driven rotary container moving means for continuously moving successive containers past said weighing units, means controlled by said weighing units arranged to bring the rotary container moving means to rest in the event that the weighing of all the weighed loads are not completed within a predetermined established time, and auxiliary control means comprising a cam actuated by said continuously rotated container moving means and operatively connected to said weighing unit driving means for preventing initiation of a new cycle of operation until the rotary container moving means is in proper position to receive the weighed loads.

STANLEY R. HOWARD. 

